K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund Infrastructure
K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund Infrastructure supports Tennessee schools and behavioral health partners with one-time infrastructure projects to strengthen school-based student mental health programming.
Funder: Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Due Dates: November 4, 2026 (Written questions) | November 9, 2026 (Questions conference call) | November 30, 2026 (Completed proposals)
Funding Amounts: $3,000,000 total, with regional allocations of $192,389–$883,502; expected project period April 1, 2027–June 30, 2028
Summary: Supports one-time infrastructure projects that strengthen school-based mental health programming for Tennessee K–12 students.
Key Information: Awards are cost-reimbursement contracts: grantees must pay expenses out-of-pocket before receiving reimbursement.
Description
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Division of Children and Youth Mental Health, supports one-time, non-recurring infrastructure projects that advance student mental health across Tennessee. The opportunity connects community behavioral health providers and local education agencies to develop, improve, or sustain infrastructure for school-based programming in all seven Planning and Policy Council regions.
Projects should create safe, healthy, sustainable, and trauma-informed environments that foster students’ mental well-being and emotional development. Potential projects include counseling-office improvements, outdoor learning spaces, flexible classroom furniture, peer-support spaces, and therapeutic environments in Family Resource Centers. Funding can also support mental-health-related technology, professional development, evidence-based curricula, and school-wide climate activities. Applicants should incorporate School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison perspectives where applicable.
